You don’t have to have a large group of people around to have some fun! While most board games out there are specifically designed to add some whimsy to large gatherings, a unique niche of the market has emerged. It’s dedicated to keeping a party of one occupied for hours on end.
The best solo board games are a unique alternative to other forms of solo entertainment. They don’t require an Internet connection or a big-screen TV to enjoy. Just whip out the box, set up the board, and you’re good to go!
Solo games offer a couple of benefits beyond the obvious. Most of these games are focused on challenging your mind and providing some much-needed mental stimulation. Difficult brain-teasers force you to think outside of the box while you strategize a way to reach your end goal. When there’s no one else around to affect your gameplay, you have all the time in the world to really figure things out and think about every approach.
Plus, most solo games have some in-depth lore that you can immerse yourself in. Stretch your imagination and see the story unfold in front of you without staring at a screen all day!
Whether you’re looking for something fun to do on a quiet evening in or you’re doing your best to practice social distancing, solo board games are a great way to spend your time. We’ve rounded up a collection of some of the best solo games for you to try out.
Mage Knight Board Game
Key Features:
RPG deckbuilding game
Takes over 2 hours to play
Can be played with 1 to 4 players
Comes with game mat and miniature figures
2 game mats and multiple game tiles
Here is a game where you can let your imagination soar. Inspired by some of the biggest RPG game titles around, Mage Knight is an open-ended titled with limitless possibilities. The game centers around building your character however you please. You can take on the role of a benevolent leader or a harsh dictator. Your choices will ultimately affect the things you do as you progress through the game and the story that goes along with it.
Mage Knight combines elements from several different genres, resulting in a unique title with tons to do. Beyond the character-building aspects, you have elements of magic and war to work with.
The board game comes with several components that are all intricately designed to immerse you in the lore. Detailed miniature figures and 240 different game cards are included. Several smaller pieces are added as well. The cool thing about this particular game is that it can be played solo or with up to 4 people. Thus, every playthrough will be unique.
Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on the Cursed Island Board Game
Key Features:
RPG adventure game
Over 250 themed cards
Comes with custom dice and wooden play tokens
Multiple game scenarios
Can be played with 1 to 4 players
Good for ages 14 and up
If you’re looking for a game that offers a different experience every time you play, take a look at Robinson Crusoe: Adventures on Cursed Island. This game has won several awards because of its story-focused gaming elements.
You take on the role of a castaway who has just arrived on an uninhabited island. Your goal is to survive on this island using limited resources. Create shelter and weapons that you need for survival. Throughout the game, unexpected events will take place. They add a unique challenge and provide hours of replayability.
Seven different missions are included in the game. These missions add another layer of difficulty to a standard playthrough. They’re more difficult. So, you can slowly get through them the more you play.
Arkham Horror Third Edition
Key Features:
Inspired by HP Lovecraft
Beautiful artwork
Custom playing map
Takes up to 2 hours to play
Can be played with 1 to 5 players
Good for ages 14 and up
In Arkham Horror, you get to put yourselves in the shoes of a distinct playable character. The game has 12 characters in total. They all have their own unique abilities, which will change the way you play the game.
Each character is an investigator tasked with figuring out the strange occurrences happening in the game’s fictional town. Elements of science fiction and horror are strewn throughout. The game is inspired by HP Lovecraft, so you will encounter grisly creatures as you make your way through the story.
Beautifully designed artwork helps to make this game come to life. Not only is there custom artwork on the uniquely shaped game board but also the playing cards. There’s always something new to admire as you complete a play-through.
Gloomhaven
Key Features:
Tactical combat game
Complex gameboard
Comes with detailed game figures
Takes up to 2 hours to play
Can be played with 1 to 4 players
Good for ages 12 and up
Gloomhaven is set in a fantasy world that’s constantly changing based on your actions. It’s very reminiscent of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book from decades past. Branching storylines and an evolving world make this a game that you can replay hundreds of times and not get bored.
The aim of the game is to build your character and make tough decisions that will make or break the outcome of the story. You take on the role of a wandering traveler who travels to Gloomhaven, a dark and mysterious part of the world filled with ruins. As you make your way through Gloomhaven, you will collect loot, make new discoveries, and improve your fictional abilities.
Scythe Board Game
Key Features:
Relies heavily on strategy
Beautifully made miniature figures
Includes a large array of game pieces
Takes almost 2 hours to play
Can be played with 1 to 4 players
Good for ages 12 and up
Scythe is a game that can be played solo or with a small group of 4. The game does not change when you choose to play alone. In fact, it presents a greater challenge and a more immersive experience when you approach the story by yourself.
This isn’t like your traditional tactical combat game. It’s set in an alternate timeline in the 1920s. The game’s story takes place after a great war. Your goal is to restore honor to your character’s faction. This is done by growing your village. You’ll have the chance to earn more villagers, build structures, and more. A large collection of game pieces are included. They represent everything from fictional mech machines to village buildings.
Onirim
Key Features:
Strategic card game
Comes with 7 expansion packs
Distinct artwork
Can be played with 1 or 2 players
For ages 10 and up
Immerse yourself in a dark and mysterious world with Onirim. This is a card-based game that revolves around strategy and choice. It’s a relatively simple game that can be played by kids as young as 10. However, that doesn’t stop it from being challenging and fun.
The concept behind the game is that you’re in a labyrinth. Your goal is to escape this maze by finding the right door to freedom. Of course, every other door has a scary creature or nightmarish event to challenge you.
Onirim has beautifully made cards with a very distinct art style. The cool thing about this particular board game is that it’s a later version. Thus, it comes with 7 expansion packs. This expands the game tremendously and gives you more options on how to play.
Terraforming Mars Board Game
Key Features:
Strategy simulation game
Comes with over 230 game cards
Includes a large collection of game pieces
Takes several hours to complete
Can be played with 1 or 5 players
For ages 10 and up
Ever wonder what it’s like to live on Mars? With Terraforming Mars, you get to take on the role of a pioneering explorer tasked with making the red planet habitable for humans. It’s a unique alternative to traditional strategy games. Rather than focusing on war and taking over villages, you must work to improve the planet for the better and earn more citizens.
This game can take very long to complete. However, you have the choice to play in short sessions. Doing so will give you ample time to make important decisions and immerse yourself in the story. In total, there are more than 200 different projects to complete in the game, giving you plenty of things to do as you play.
Perfection Game
Key Features:
Puzzle game
Battery-powered game board
Timed challenged
Can be played solo or with another player
Made for players 7 and up
Perfection is a classic solo game that never gets old. This is a puzzle title that’s designed to challenge your brain and improving your hand-eye coordination. The gameplay is very simple. The board is battery-powered and features a built-in timer.
When you turn the knob of the timer, you must place each piece into its corresponding slot. There are 25 different play pieces. It’s a chaotic race against the clock! If you don’t put every piece where it’s supposed to go before the time runs out, the game board will pop each piece out so that you have to start over again!
Lord of the Rings – Journey in Middle-Earth
Key Features:
Set in the Lord of the Rings universe
Comes with custom cards
Includes miniature figures
22 map tiles
Works with a companion smartphone app
Can be played with 1 to 5 players
Made for players 14 and up
If you’re a fan of Tolkien’s expansive world, this Lord of the Rings game is for you. It’s a complex strategy game with familiar characters. The game board is expandable. As you progress through the story, you can add one of the 22 map tiles.
The cool thing about this game is that there are several surprise events to experience. You may encounter alternate paths, side quests, and more. These serve to expand the game even further while adding more content to the lore of the game.
Speaking of which, the game centers around one of several heroes. You must make your way through the world while warding off dangers and improving your character. Build your own Fellowship and overcome challenges with iconic enemies.
Solo Games: 12 Exciting New Board Games to Be Played By One Person
Key Features:
Includes multiple game genres
Printable game boards and tokens
Detailed game instructions
Available in ebook format
If you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck, this book includes 12 brand-new games to try out. While it looks like a traditional ebook, it’s packed with some fun ways to have fun by yourself.
You’ll find instructions for 12 different titles. The titles vary dramatically in terms of gameplay and genre. You can find traditional RPGs, games based on historical events, and sports games.
Each game comes with its own printable gameboard and custom tokens. The great thing is that the book doesn’t take up a ton of space. Unlike those bulky game boxes, you can take this title with you on the go.
Sherlock Holmes Consulting: Detective Jack the Ripper & West End Adventures
Key Features:
Strategy game
Comes with multiple cases to complete
Beautifully designed board and game pieces
Jack the Ripper is a historical real-world figure responsible for grisly murders in London. While the true identity of Jack the Ripper was never discovered, this game puts a new twist on the tale. You take on the role of a detective trying to find the identity of this famous serial killer while attempting to put a stop to future murders.
It’s not just any old detective involved. You’re playing as Sherlock Holmes! There are 10 different cases. Most of the cases are adventures that you can only complete one time. However, there are 4 cases that are bigger and more involved. Thus, they have more playability.
Eldritch Horror
Key Features:
Adventure game
Detailed artwork throughout
Can take up to 4 hours to complete
Can be played with 1 to 8 players
Good for players 14 and up
Eldritch Horror is a story-driven game that has a lot to offer fans of HP Lovecraft. This particular board game is inspired by a title we covered earlier; Arkham Horror.
Like Arkham Horror, this game is set in a terrifying world of scary creatures. Your goal is is to defeat these creatures. To do so, you must travel to distinct worlds and solve complex mysteries. The game is very unique and has tons of replayability. It can take upwards of 4 hours to complete. Thanks to the immersive story, you won’t have a problem staying entertained.
This War of Mine: The Board Game
Key Features:
Strategy game
Includes hundreds of game pieces
A unique take on war games
Can take up to 2 hours to complete
Can be played with 1 to 6 players
Good for players 18 and up
This War of Mine offers up a unique playing experience. While many board games out there these days are focused on the events of war, this one centers on the ramifications of battle. You don’t play as a soldier or leader. Instead, you’re a civilian just trying to survive.
You play as civilians who are trapped in a war-torn city. You must do all you can to survive. This includes finding supplies, moving through the rubble, and more. It’s a story-driven game that offers a unique viewpoint.
Conclusion
There you have it! These solo board games offer a fun solo experience. They’re immersive titles with just as much story and captivating narrative as movies or books. However, you have the added benefit of strategy and hours of enjoyment.